Formal Commands

Commands are used when ordering, or telling someone to do something. This is often referred to as the "imperative" form of the verb.

Compre Ud. el anillo.

(You) Buy the ring.

Haga Ud. la tarea.

(You) Do the homework.

Compren Uds. los libros.

(You-all) Buy the books.

Hagan Uds. el trabajo.

(You-all) Do the work.

By now, you are well acquainted with the fact that Spanish has both a formal and an informal style of speech (tú / Ud.). This distinction applies to commands.

Compre Ud. el anillo.

Buy the ring. (formal)

Compra (tú) los dulces.

Buy the candy. (familiar)

Informal, or familiar, speech is used among friends, coworkers, relatives, or when addressing a child. Formal speech is generally used to be polite or to express respect. For that reason, the formal commands are often referred to as polite commands.

The formal commands are formed the same way as the present subjunctive:

Start with the yo form of the present indicative.

Then drop the -o ending.

Finally, add the following endings:

-ar verbs:
-e (for Ud.), -en (for Uds.)

-er and -ir verbs:
-a (for Ud.), -an (for Uds.)

The following examples of formal commands use three regular verbs: hablar, comer, and escribir.